CHAPTER V.

The California "Gold Fever " - First Homicide; Killing of Benj. Collins by Joseph Slagle - Politics and Politicians - The "Know Nothings" - Building of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad - Sketch of the Institution of Slavery - The Political Campaigns of 1860 - After the Election of Lincoln - The Case of Rev. J. E. Gardner.

The discovery of gold in California greatly excited the people of the West, producing what came to be called the "gold fever." Livingston county caught the infection in a virulent form. In the spring and summer of 1849 there was a comparatively large emigration from the county for the new El Dorado, of whose riches such marvelous tales were narrated, - where it was said even the "wave of the river and the spray of the fountains were bright with the glitter of genuine gold."

May 1, 1849, a considerable company from "the forks" left Spring Hill for California. This company was composed of A. B. D. Martin, Gustavus Dryden, John Dryden, W. S. Ligett, Henry Leeper, Stephen Bills, J. T. C. Boyle, W. G. Frith, James Ligett, - Pulliam, Josiah Geo. W., Thomas A., James and J. B. Anderson, Sam'l L. Harris, Giles McGee, William Ballinger and John McGee. At Lone Jack, in Jackson county, the Livingston men united with others from Chariton and formed the California Mining Company, choosing John Gilliam, of Chariton, captain.

At Vermillion creek, Kansas, cholera broke out among the gold seekers, and three of the company died - John McGee, of Livingston, and James Ashby and Stephen Prather, of Chariton. Here the company broke up into two parties, in one of which were the Livingston and some from Chariton, who elected Sportsman, of Chariton, captain. This company took the middle route, through the South Pass, and arrived at Steep Hollow, California, September 22.

No serious trouble was experienced by Capt. Sportsman's company until the head of Thousand Springs Valley, Nevada, was reached. Here the Indians stole 17 head of horses and mules from them one night. The men gave pursuit, followed the thieves into the mountains, and succeeded in recovering seven horses and one mule.

Other Livingston men from "the forks," comprising Thos. B. Brookshier, Danl. B. Cox, Thos. Cox, Wm. Heisler, and a number of men from Daviess, elected F. P. Peniston, of the latter county, captain, and set out April 29, taking the northern route, and arrived at Lawson's ranch, on the upper Sacramento, September 15.

Other Livingston county "49ers" were John Trammell, James Trammell, and "Buena Vista" Bell, who started from "the forks" and made the trip to the land of gold in wagons drawn by five yoke of cows. With this outfit was one lady, the wife of James Bell. From the southern, western, and other portions of the county went George Wolfskill, Thos. Kirk, John Kirk, J. H. Kirk, Abe Gann, Reuben Wilburn.

In 1850 there was another emigration. Some of those who went this year were L. D. Kirk, Andrew McCoskrie, P. M. Marlow, Wm. H. Marlow, J. M. Marlow, J. B. Francis, Lewis M. Best, Dr. Lenox.

The fate of the Livingston county Argonauts was varied. Some were successful, but most were not. Nearly all ultimately returned, but many again went to "the diggings," and of these some finally returned to their old Missouri homes. Henry Leeper was accidentally shot while bear hunting on the Sierra Nevada mountains with Ben. Ashby. The latter fell down and his gun slipped down the mountain side until the hammer struck a projection, when the weapon was discharged, and the contents struck Leeper. Dr. Lenox was killed by L. M. Best, who after a long and expensive trial was acquitted.

The first homicide in Livingston county after its organization did not occur until April 19, 1853, when Joseph Slagle killed his brother-in-law, one Benjamin Collins, the act being afterward decided justifiable.

Slagle, who was the owner of Slagle's mill on Medicine creek, in the northeastern part of the county, had married Elizabeth Crawford, a daughter of Mason Crawford and a half sister of Benjamin Collins, whose mother, being left a widow, had married Mr. Crawford. Collins at this time lived at Quincy, Ill., where he was connected with a "negro show," and led a low, disreputable life generally. He was married, but had separated from his wife, and was regarded as a malicious, evil-disposed person, of a quarrelsome nature, especially when intoxicated, as was frequently the case.

When Collins heard that his half sister had married Slagle he flew into a great passion, and swore that he was coming "right over to Missouri and kill Slagle." To some parties he swore that his sister should not live with her husband, that he would "part them or die;" and to other parties he swore that he would "kill Slagle on sight,'' and that he would "have his heart's blood, anyhow," etc. This was in March, 1853, and a month later Collins appeared at Slagle's house late one night, accompanied by Henry Gibson, of Linn county, whom he had hired to convey him to Slagle's mill on horseback.

Slagle greeted his brother-in-law kindly, and did his best to make him welcome. Mrs. Slagle was absent from home to remain over night, but Slagle at once sent for her, and she returned that night. Collins did not respond to the friendliness of his sister's husband, but seemed cold and distant, and when his sister arrived he took her out of doors and told her that she must leave her husband or he would kill him. That night Collins acted very violently and menacingly, and at last Slagle drove him away with a shotgun.

Collins seemed incensed against Slagle because the latter had been twice married before marrying his sister, and because he was somewhat older than she. He stayed in the neighborhood a day or two, uttering threats against Slagle, declaring he had killed his first two wives, and "he shan't live to kill my sister;" and again he said he had come for "revenge," and he meant to have it, "or die right here," etc. Word of Collins' threats were sent to Slagle by Mason Crawford and others, and on one night Slagle, Stephen Crawford and Mr. Jennings guarded Slagle's house. To Stephen Crawford, near Quincy, Ill., a month before, Collins had declared he would have Slagle's "heart's blood."

That night Collins stayed at Mrs. Sapp's, in the neighborhood. His relatives and others seem to have urged him to leave the country and go to California, and to forego his intention to kill his brother-in-law. Accordingly on Tuesday morning, April 19, he left Mrs. Sapp's, and in company with Thomas Gilkison, who was driving a yoke of cattle, started apparently for Chillicothe, carrying a fiddle, an umbrella and a budget of clothing. He was unarmed. The same morning Slagle started from home to hunt for one of his cattle that had strayed away; he was on horseback, and carried with him his double-barreled gun. He, too, came into the Chillicothe road and soon overtook Collins and Gilkison, who were afoot, the latter carrying a gun. What followed the meeting was thus testified to by Mr. Gilkison: -

We had got but a short distance from Mrs. Sapp's house till we seen Mr. Slagle. This man that got killed remarked to me, "Will he shoot?" I told the man that I did not think he would shoot if he met him friendly. When he met Mr. Slagle he spoke and bid him "good morning." Mr. Slagle bid him "good morning." Collins asked Mr. Slagle: "How do you come on." Mr. Slagle's reply was: "Ben, my life has been at stake long enough." As he spoke these words he cocked his gun and shot. As he did not kill him the first shot, he shot again; the last shot killed him dead on the ground.

On the trial it was sworn to, that immediately after the shooting Mr. Slagle gave directions that Collins' body should he taken care of, and he seemed greatly affected, "shedding tears" and declaring "I would not have done it, but I had to. I would as soon have shot my own brother." Slagle also declared that just before he fired Collins had grabbed at Gilkison's gun, as if he intended carrying out his threat. Collins was walking in the rear of Gilkison, and Gilkison did not see this movement.

Slagle at once surrendered himself, underwent a preliminary examination before Squire Myers, was held to answer, and was indicted by the grand jury within a few days (April term, 1853), but was not tried finally until the October term of the Circuit Court, 1854, when he was acquitted, the jury believing from the evidence, as did a majority of' the community, that he had killed Collins from motives altogether proper and justifiable. The latter had come into this county on Sunday, April 17, vowing he would part Slagle and his wife or "die right here," and the following Tuesday morning he was killed.

Mr. Slagle yet lives in the county, a respected citizen of Chillicothe.

From its organization until after the beginning of the Civil War, Livingston county was uniformly Democratic in politics. It is believed that at every Presidential election the Democratic party carried the county, on to 1860, and then there was a decided majority of Democrats, aggregating the two factions. Occasionally the Whigs elected one or more of the county officers, but this was always due to questions of personal popularity, or some local consideration. On the "main question," as it was considered, Livingston county was soundly Democratic, by about 150 majority.

In 1844, and for some years both prior and subsequent thereto, the leading Whigs of the county were Nova Zembla Johnson (elected to the Legislature in 1844), John Hudgins, Alexander Dockery, Andrew Ligett, Wm. L. Black, James A. Black, J. W. Boyle, Judge Anselm Rowley, Wm. J. Wallace, Dawson Crews, James Garmon, E. B. Waples, Thomas Warren, Wm. E. Pearl, J. H. B. Manning.

Some of the prominent Democrats were Esq. Francis Preston, who invariably presided at meetings and conventions; James H. Darlington, W. Y. Slack, James Leeper, Sr., James Leeper, Jr., Jno. L. Leeper, seven or eight of the Martins; the three Gregorys, Nathan H. Spencer, and J. T.; Wm. O. Jennings, Thos. R. Bryan, Joseph Cox, Geo. Munro, Dr. John Wolfskill, S. A. Alexander, Reuben Leaton.

During the Know Nothing excitement, in 1855-56, the reign of the Democratic party was seriously menaced by the new organization. In some counties the Know Nothings were largely in the majority. The Democracy of Livingston, however, were early on their guard, and repelled the attempts of the leaders of the new party to make proselytes among Democrats. This was accomplished by thoroughly organizing and disciplining the party in time. Early in the year 1856, the year when Know Nothingism was strongest in Missouri, the Democrats of this county girded themselves for the Presidential conflict about to open. A large mass meeting was held at Chillicothe in February, pursuant to the following call: -

With a view of a permanent organization of the Democratic party for the political contest of 1856, the undersigned Democrats of Livingston county would respectfully call a mass meeting of the Democrats and all others favorable to their creed of principles, to assemble at the court-house, in Chillicothe, on the first Monday in February, 1856, to take such steps as may be deemed necessary: -

 

Larze Anderson, Alex Austin, David C. Austin, Wm. C. Austin, A N. Austin, S. H. Austin, Jas. L. Austin, A J. Austin, James Anderson, Jesse Aufield, Amos Bargdoll, Joel Bargdoll, E Bell, Owen Brigman, Lewis Bargdoll, Solomon Bargdoll, N. G. Bliss, James Bean, Henry Black, Wm. Blackwell, John Bryan, A J. Bryan, Levan Brookshier, T B. Brookshier, Leander Brookshier, Wm. H. Brookshier, John Boucher, J. N. Bell, Thomas R. Bryan, James Bradford, Wilson Burnett, Abel Cox, J. W. Collins, John Caldwell, Isam Cox, Andrew Craig, Jr., Brannock Curtis, D. P. Cochran, E. M. Claraday, David Cadle, Joseph Custer, Joshua Crumpecker, Wm. Cloud, David W. Curtis, David Curtis, David Y. Dale, John England, Hardin D. Ewers, David Eads, Darius Evans, J. J. Eberly, John Fitzmorris, J. B. Freeman, James Francis, John Frazier, Wm. G. Firth,

Henry Firth, J. A. Farrell, Spence H. Gregory, Jr. J. H. T. Green, Joshua Gibbons, John Garr, Richard Garr, John O. Gish, M. R. Gregory, Edward Gudgell, John T. Gudgell, Adam Gano, Jr., Thomas Gano, Nicholas Gano, Howard Gano, Nathan Gano, Henry Gano, Joshua Gano, Spence H. Gregory, Sr. John Graves, Jordan Graves, Westley Grider, Greenbury Gibson, Reuben Hawkins, Asa H. Holcomb, E. Herriford, John Hutchinson, Wm. Hoge, James Hicks, Jr., James Hicks, Sr., Abijah Hicks, Joseph Haddock, Thos. Hutchinson, David Hawkins, Jere Hutchinson, Jesse Hoge, Pleasant Ingram, John Jacob, Wm. O. Jennings, Wyatt Jennings, Thos. Jennings, Jr., James Jennings, Allison James, Joseph Jones, Wm. Keith, Wash Keister, Rice G. Keister, Christian Keller, Joseph B. Kirk, Uriah B. Kent, James B. Kerr, Wm. S. Knox, Daniel Keller, Isam Lisle, Asa Lanter, Henry Manning,

J. L. Myers, Francis Martin, , Jr. Richard Martin, John M. Minnick, Geo. Munro, H. R. Manning, Jas. McAllister, Joseph Miller, Jesse Morris, B. F. Norman, W. C. Norman, Elias Norman, James Nave, Samuel Odell, Evan Odell, Isaac Ourly, Jackson Perrin, Wm. F. Peery, A. E. Poulet, J. Y. Porter, John Richards, James Rosson, Charles Rosson, Jas. M. Robertson, Judson Schofield, Robt. M. Steen, Siford Saxon, Silas Smith, John Speck, L. D. Sivic, John Saunders, Wm. Silvey, Emasus Silvey, Temple Smith, Danl. G. Saunders, Alex. Saunders, W. Y. Slack, Wm. Sirus, John Stewart, R. M. Stewart, Morris Shaw, Hiram Taylor, Saml. Thompson, Clinton Van Brimmer, Jas. M. Wood, John Wisecarver, John Winnegan, John Walker, John Wolfskill, A. F. Walden, T. W. Warder, Joe. Wolfskill, Noah Wilkinson, Maj. A. Wallace, James Wells.

The Know Nothings assembled on Washington's birthday, February 22, pursuant to the following notice: -

The members of the American Party, and all friends of their principles, are requested to assemble in Chillicothe on the 22d of February next, for the purpose of celebrating the birthday of the Immortal Washington, the Father of American Liberty. Able speakers will be in attendance.

CHILLICOTHE COUNCIL.

The Native American, or as it was called, the "Know Nothing" party, deserves particular mention in these pages, as at one time it was a political organization very formidable in its character, and largely in the majority in some quarters. It was formed in the United States some time before the year 1840, but did not become strong or very prominent until the dissolution of the Whig party in 1853.

The party was a strong one, as it was a secret political order, whose members were oath-bound, and which had its lodges or "councils," its signs, grips and passwords, and worked secretly to accomplish its openly professed objects. It was composed chiefly of old Whigs, although there were many ex-Democrats in its ranks. Its great basic principle was that "Americans must rule America;" in other words, that no one but native-born citizens of the United States, and non-Catholic, ought to hold office. After a time the clause in the platform against Catholics was stricken out, except in regard to those who held to the supremacy of the Pope in temporal affairs. It also favored a radical change in the naturalization laws, insisting on a foreigner's twenty years' residence in this country as a prerequisite to citizenship.

The lodges of the Know Nothing were called "councils." In this county, among others, there were councils at Chillicothe, Utica and Spring Hill. It is said that one of the hailing signs of the Know Nothings was " Have you seen Sam?" meaning it is presumed, "Uncle Sam," the mythical personage supposed to represent the government of the United States. The American flag was always present in the council rooms, and the Federal constitution was a part of the constitution of the order.

For many years the Native American party was a prominent and important factor in politics, but the influence and strength of the foreign and Catholic vote of the country were of course always against it, and these and other influences destroyed it in a few years.

The building of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad through the county in 1858-59, was an event of much importance (see sketch of the road elsewhere). It gave to the county communication with the outside world, brought in hundreds of emigrants, revived and created business enterprises, built up the towns of Chillicothe and Utica, and marked a new era in the progress and general welfare of the people. The new enterprise cost the county but a trifling sum, and was of the greatest advantage. John Graves, of Chillicothe, was the largest subscriber, his subscription being $1,000 at the first, and this was afterwards increased.

This volume will be read by many in days to come who can not comprehend that human slavery once existed in Livingston county and Missouri. For the benefit of those, and because it is a legitimate portion of the county's history, it may be proper to describe in these pages the institution of slavery as it existed here and generally throughout Missouri.

In 1860, out of a total population of 7,417, the number of slaves in Livingston county was 705, nearly one-tenth of the entire population. The proportion of slaves was small compared with some other counties in the State, notably those along the Missouri river in the hemp district. In Chariton the number of slaves was 2,889; total population, 12,562. In Carroll there were 1,068; total population, 9,768. In Grundy there were 245; total population, 7,887. The whole number in this county were held by less than 200 families. The institution was not profitable here.

Slavery in this county was transplanted from Kentucky and Virginia. Certain families owned slaves in those States, and carried them along when they came to the new country. Nearly all that were ever here came with their masters or were natives of the county. Few were ever brought here and sold on speculation. Many were taken out of the county and sold to go into the far South, but there was no profit in bringing them here for sale. Negroes are known to be prolific when surrounded by favorable circumstances, and they increased very rapidly under the workings and practices of the system. Many slave girls became mothers at fourteen.

The slave owners worked their slaves for profit. Slavery to them was not only social power and supremacy, but it was wealth and a source of wealth. The slaveholder therefore worked his slaves to the best possible advantage for gain. Men and women worked in the fields here, as they did in the cotton fields of Mississippi. They were provided with comfortable cabins, with coarse but comfortable clothing, with a sufficiency of food, and medical attendance was furnished them when they were sick. The self-interest of the master prompted this, if his humanity did not. It was rare in this county that a master overworked and underfed his slaves, or treated them with extreme harshness and cruelty.

Slaves were property and rated a part of a man's personal estate, as his horses were. To be sure they were regarded as something more than brood mares and stallions, though their value, in a certain sense was the same - proportionate to their increase. This could not he avoided. The owner of land had a right to its annual profits, the owner of orchards to their annual fruits, and under the law the owner of female slaves was entitled to their children. While in Louisiana and perhaps another State slaves were real estate, in Missouri they were chattels. Though no attention was given to their education, their religious instruction was not neglected, and they were encouraged to hold meetings and to conduct revivals and prayer meetings, and in particular the Pauline precept, "Servants, obey your masters," was constantly cited to them as one of the teachings and commands of the Bible.

The domestic relations of the slaves were regulated more with regard to convenience than what would be considered propriety in these days. Marriages between them were not made matters of record. Quite frequently no ceremony was said at all - the parties simply "took up." Occasionally the husband belonged to one master, the wife to another. But in most instances the family relation was observed, or at least imitated. Husband and wife occupied one cabin, where they brought up children and lived after the fashion of to-day. The husband and wife not only did not have to provide for themselves, but they were not expected to provide for their children. That was the master's care and duty.

The husband was usually satisfied with one wife - at a time. There was not that laxity of morals concerning the connubial relations here that existed in the far South. There were numbers of mulatto children, and quadroons and octoroons - as there are to-day - because there were depraved and libidinous men then - as there are now. Sometimes a father owned as slaves his own daughters, whose children had for fathers their mothers' half-brothers. But these cases were rare. The Northern Abolitionists exaggerated and magnified the existence of evils of this sort. Usually the fathers of mulatto children were depraved and disreputable white men who were not the owners of slaves.

While there was frequently a harsh master, the instances of down-right cruelty to the slaves in this county were rare. There were cruel masters, as there are cruel husbands and fathers, but the rule was that slave-owners were considerate, reasonable and just. Cruelty and inhumanity toward slaves were grave offenses against the law. As early as in April, 1841, Wm. C. Davis, of this county, was indicted for inhumanly treating a slave, and it required the best efforts of his counsel, R. D. Ray (now Supreme Judge) and Amos Reese, to prevent his being severely punished.

It was necessary that there should be discipline, but this was enforced with as few rigors as possible. In every municipal township there were patrols, appointed by the county court, whose duties were to patrol their respective townships a certain number of times per month, and to keep a watch and scrutiny upon the movements of the negroes.

As remarked on another page of this volume, eternal vigilance was the price of slavery. The slaves required continual oversight. There were restive spirits among them with ideas of freedom whose movements had to be restrained; all insubordination had to be repressed; all loafing and prowling for the purpose of petty larceny had to be broken up and reproved. After the Southampton insurrection and the fearful murders of Nat Turner and his followers, in 1831, "risings" and insurrections were feared wherever there were considerable communities of slaves. To prevent as far as possible any trouble among or about the slaves was the office of the patrols. They made their rounds - one of their number being a leader or "captain" - as nearly as possible at unexpected times and suddenly. No slave was allowed off the farm where he belonged or was employed after 9 o'clock at night without a written pass from his master or employer. All offenders of this class were made prisoners and punished.

The first patrols in Livingston county were appointed for Greene township in November, 1844. Asa T. Kirtley was "captain," and the patrols (or "pattarollers," as the record calls them) were W. E. Rucker, Addison Rucker, John Rockhold, F. Lyday, E. N. Guill and Warren Hudgins. The squad was ordered to patrol at least 36 hours in each month, for twelve months.

The negroes had their seasons of happiness, and on the whole it is perhaps nothing but the truth to say that their average physical condition when in slavery was as good as it is to-day. The state of some of them was better. Sentimental considerations must be left to others. They had their dances, their frolics, and their assemblages of various sorts. Corn huskings were made occasions of merriment and diversion. In 1840 or later there was a custom, when the huge pile of corn was husked, to take up the master and bear him on the shoulders of the huskers at the head of a procession which marched around the premises singing songs improvised at the time, and so called "corn songs."

These " corn songs " were sung while the slaves were at work in the tobacco fields, the hemp fields, the wheat fields, as well as at the huskings. They were commonly without rhyme or reason, but were sung with great volume and sometimes with much melody.

In 1865, when the slaves were freed, the majority of them left their masters and mistresses and set about doing for themselves. Very many went to the cities and towns, preferring town life to rural life. Hundreds left the State, many going to Iowa and Illinois, where were plenty of anti-slavery people from whom they expected much substantial sympathy and assistance - but they did not receive it. Numbers believed that not only were they to receive their freedom, but that in some way the Government was to compensate them for their term of servitude. A. few are said to be yet looking for the "forty acres of land and a mule."

Slavery received its death blow when the Civil War began - so it turned out. As elsewhere stated numbers of slaves left their masters in 1862 and 1863. Even the slaves of Unionists ran away. When in 1865 by Legislative enactment and the adoption of the XIII. Amendment all slaves in this State were set free, there was a great deal of discontent in this county. Men declared rashly that they would not rent a negro a foot of land, or render him any sort of aid in his efforts to make a living, but in time this feeling passed away, the situation was accepted, and now there is but the merest handful of persons who would re-establish slavery if they had the power.

In very many respects the Presidential campaign of 1860 was the most remarkable, not only in the history of Livingston county, but of the United States. Its character was affected not only by preceding but succeeding events. Among the former were the excited and exciting debates in Congress over the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the Kansas-Nebraska controversy; the passage by the Legislatures of various Northern States of the "personal liberty bills," which rendered inoperative in those States the fugitive slave law; the John Brown raid on Harper's Ferry, in the fall of 1859, and various inflammatory speeches of prominent leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties in the North and in the South.

There was the greatest excitement throughout the country, and when it was in full tide the Presidential canvass opened. The slavery question was the all-absorbing one among the people. The Republican party, while it had not received a single vote in Livingston county, had carried a large majority of the Northern States in the canvass of 1856, and every year since had received large accessions to its ranks, and under the circumstances, there being great dissension in the Democratic party, prognosticating a split, bade fair to elect its candidates. The Democratic Convention at Charleston, South Carolina, April 28, after a stormy and inharmonious session of some days, divided, and the result was the nomination of two sets of candidates - Stephen A. Douglass and Herschel V. Johnson for President and Vice-President, by the "regulars," and John C. Breckinridge and Joseph Lane by the Southern or State Rights wing of the party.

The "Constitutional Union" party, made up of old Whigs, Know Nothings, and some conservative men of all parties, nominated John Bell, of Tennessee, and Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, on a platform composed of a single line - " The Union, the Constitution and the enforcement of the laws."

The Republican party was the last to bring out its candidates. It presented Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, on a platform declaring, among other things, that each State had the absolute right to control and manage its own domestic institutions; denying that the constitution, of its own force, carried slavery into the territories, whose normal condition was said to be that of freedom. Epitomized, the platform meant hostility towards the extension of slavery, non-interference where it really existed.

It was to be expected that Missouri, being the only border Slave State lying contiguous to the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, should be deeply concerned in the settlement of the slavery question. Her people or their ancestors were very largely from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and other slaveholding States, and many of them owned slaves or were otherwise interested in the preservation of slavery, to which institution the success of the Republican party, it was believed, would be destructive. There were many of this class in Livingston county. There was not only a selfish motive for the friendliness toward the "Peculiar Institution," but a sentimental one. It was thought to be unmanly to yield to Northern sentiment of a threatening shape or coercive character. If slavery was wrong (which was denied) it must not be assailed at the dictation of Northern Abolitionists.

The canvass in the State was very spirited. The division in the Democratic party extended into Missouri. The Democratic State Convention nominated Claiborne F. Jackson, of Saline county, for Governor. The Bell and Everett party nominated at first Robert Wilson, of Andrew, and on his withdrawal, Hon. Sample Orr, of Greene county. Judge Orr was selected in the room of Mr. Wilson by the central committee.

Very soon the politicians began a series of maneuvers desired to develop Jackson's views on the main question before the country, and especially as to which of the two Democratic Presidential candidates he favored. For a long time the wily Saline county statesman succeeded in evading the question and defining his position; but at last the Missouri Republican and other Douglass organs "smoked him out." He announced in a well written communication that he was for Douglass, because he believed him to be the regular and fairly chosen nominee of the party; but at the same time he announced himself in favor of the principles of the Breckinridge party. He was called by some who disliked him, "a Douglass man with Breckinridge tendencies," "a squatter sovereign on an anti-squatter sovereignty platform," etc.

When, Jackson's letter appeared soon thereafter, the Breckinridge men called a State convention and put in nomination Hancock Jackson, of Howard, for Governor, and Monroe M. Parsons, of Cole, for Lieutenant-Governor.

Being encouraged by the feuds in the Democratic party, the Bell and Everett men had high hopes of electing their gubernatorial candidate at the August election, and carrying the State for "Bell, of Tennessee," the ensuing November. To this end they did everything possible to foment additional discord and widen the breach between the two wings of their opponents; but they overdid the business. The Democrats saw through their tactics, and agreeing to disagree as to Presidential candidates, practically united in the support of Jackson and Reynolds at the August election, and triumphantly elected them by a plurality of about 10,000. The vote stood: C. F. Jackson, Douglass Democrat, 74,446; Sample Orr, Bell and Everett, 64,583; Hancock Jackson, Breckinridge Democrat, 11,415; J. B. Gardenhire, Republican, 6,135.

Following was the vote in Livingston county: -

Governor - C. F. Jackson, 840; Sample Orr, 583; Hancock Jackson, 37.

Congress - John B. Clark, Sr., Dem., 806; M: C. Hawkins, Bell-Everett, 646.

The vote, by township, for the leading county officers is herewith appended. The regular Democratic nominees are marked D; the Bell-Everett or " Union " candidates are marked U. For county judges, Hon. J. A. Davis was an independent candidate, and received the votes generally of the Bell-Everett men.

 

	REP'SNTIVE.		SHERIFF.		CO. JUDGE.
TOWNSHIPS.	A.J. Austin D.	L. McDowell U.	W.C. Norman D.	S. L. Harris U.	J. A. Davis D.	J. Blackburn D.
Chillicothe Cream Ridge Monroe Blue Mound Grand River Jackson Greene	266 70 49 57 105 188 143	307 41 18 13 48 151 83	174 65 50 44 101 84 124	421 46 20 24 51 250 99	395 57 29 21 89 195 106	209 51 88 46 48 182 102
Total	878	656	642	911	892	627

Vote for Governor by townships can not be found.

Other county officers elected were G. W. Knox, assessor; J. B. McDonald, treasurer; A. Bargdoll, school commissioner.

Nothing daunted by their defeat in August, the Bell and Everett men in Missouri kept up the fight for their Presidential candidates, and came within a few hundred votes of carrying the State for them in November, the vote standing: -

For the Douglas electors, 58,801; for the Bell electors, 58,372; for the Breckinridge electors, 31,317; for the Lincoln electors, 17,028; Douglas' majority over Bell, 429, over Breckinridge, 27,484.

It is said that many Democrats voted for Bell because they thought he was the only candidate that could beat Lincoln. In the October elections the Republicans had carried Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. and Lincoln's election was almost inevitable. Fusion tickets against the Republicans had been formed in New York, New Jersey and other States, and many thought the Tennessee statesman might be elected after all.

Following was the vote in this county at the Presidential election, 1860: -

 

Townships. Chillicothe Cream Ridge Grand River Monroe Greene Jackson Blue Mound	Bell. 286 24 88 11 118 144 12	Breckenridge. 189 6 84 26 86 111 18	Douglas. 194 19 58 25 48 26 36	Lincoln. … … … 15 … … 5
Total	578	470	401	20

The news of the election of Lincoln and Hamlin was received by the people of this county generally with dissatisfaction; but aside from the utterances of some ultra pro-slavery men, there were general expressions of a willingness to except and abide by the result - at least to watch and wait. A number of citizens avowed themselves unconditional Union men from the first. Upon the secession of South Carolina and other Southern States, however, many changed their views. Indeed, there was nothing certain about the sentiments of men in those days, but one thing - they were liable to change! Secessionists one week became Union men the next, and vice versa. There was withal a universal hope that civil war might be averted.

Already the best men of the country feared for the fate of the republic. Northern fanatics and Southern fire-eaters were striving to rend it assunder. The former did not want to live in a country (so they said) whereof one-half depended on the begetting and bringing up of children for the slave market, and so the constitution which permitted slavery was denominated an instrument of infamy, and the flag of the stars and stripes denounced as a flaunting lie. The fire-eaters of the South were blustering and complaining that their "rights" had been or were about to be trampled on by the North, and therefore they were for seceding and breaking up the government, which they could not absolutely control.

A majority of the people of the county, it is safe to say, believed that the best interests of Missouri were identical with those of the other slaveholding States, but they were in favor of waiting for developments of the policy of the new administration before taking any steps leading to the withdrawal of the State from the Federal Union. "Let us wait and see what Lincoln will do," was the sentiment and expression of a large number. A respectable minority were in favor of immediate secession, and so declared publicly.

"Missouri is a peninsula of slavery running out into a sea of freedom," said Gov. Rob Stewart, 1861. It was bounded on three sides by Free States, and "Black Republican" States at that - Kansas, Iowa and Illinois. Should she secede and become a part of a foreign nation her condition, as suffering from Northern Abolitionists and slave liberators, would be aggravated. Where one negro ran away while the State remained a part of the Union, ten might be expected to "skedaddle" if she seceded. Thus argued certain Pro-Slavery men at the time.

One of the 20 men who voted for Lincoln in Livingston county, at the Presidential election in 1860, was Rev. J. E. Gardner, a minister of the M. E. church, who some time previously had been sent into this county, and who had located at Utica. "Northern Methodists," as they are sometimes called, were few in number and in bad odor at that day in Missouri. As a rule they were opposed to slavery, though but few openly demanded its abolition, and the people generally were very sensitive on this subject. (See Caldwell County History, Chap. XVII. )

At this time (fall of 1860) Utica contained about 600 inhabitants, two dry goods stores, two groceries, one drug store, one hotel, two saloons, a school-house, and one church. The latter was owned by the Baptists, but the use of it was allowed to all other denominations except the "Northern Methodists," who occasionally held services in the school-house. Public sentiment in the town was largely against Mr. Gardner. He was denounced as a "North Methodist," a "Lincolnite," an Abolitionist, and was accused of tampering with the slaves, treating them as his equals, etc. A few weeks after the election he was presented with the following communication: -

Utica, Mo., December 20, 1860.

Mr. Gardner - Sir: - At a meeting of the citizens of Livingston Co., Mo., it was unanimously resolved that notice be given you that your longer residence in our county is not desired by our citizens, and that you he required to leave this county this date within three days from this date. (Signed)

 

Charles Cooper, Henry L. Todd, Robert Frazer, P. D. Smith, Geo. Stone, T. T. Dannell, John N. Stone, Saml. D. Shaffer, John A. Schmitt, Oliver Wells, Wm. Frazer, Jr., R. W. Todd, W. F Bramel,

G. A. Stone, Jr., S. M. Maxy, David Martin, G. W. McMillen, E. Histed, J. F. Foor J. C. Lukins, A. J. Austin, Thos. Holt, W. R. Wood, Albert Myers, Alex. Mellon,

Joseph Reeder, Isaac W. Gibson, G. P. Foor, W. T. Bramel, John Lowe, R. P. Wiley, C. Black, R. Matson, M. Black, T. F. Prewitt, Wm. Frazer, H. W. Broughton.

It is worthy of note that some of the signers afterwards became themselves strong anti-slavery men, and were regarded as truly loyal during the Civil War.

A few days later another meeting was held to consider Mr. Gardner's case, he having protested against being driven away. The meeting was held in the school-house and addressed by Mr. Black and Hon. A. J. Austin. A committee brought Mr. Gardner before the meeting, where the following written charges were presented against him: -

Charge l. You are a preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church North, sent among us without our consent and supported by Northern money, sent out by a religious denomination, whose doctrine is to war upon the domestic institutions of the South.

Charge 2. You are the only man in our community who voted for Lincoln, and you have publicly declared that you would glory in making yourself a martyr to the cause of Abolitionism.

Charge 3. You have had frequent interviews with the slaves of this county, and you invited a number of them to the country and gave them a dinner, after preaching, as your equals.

To these charges Mr. Gardner replied: -

1. I am not a preacher of the M. E. Church North, as there is no such church in existence. Neither am I supported by Northern money, but by the people to whom I am sent to preach. Our doctrine is not to war upon the domestic institutions of the State, for in our Book of Discipline we acknowledge ourselves obedient to the laws of the land.

2. I did vote for Mr. Lincoln, but did not, either publicly or privately, declare that I would glory in making myself a martyr to the cause of Abolitionism.

3. I never had an interview with slaves, or gave them a dinner, making them my equals. I therefore challenge the proof, as the onus probandi rests on you; and until you bring that I stand with the law to defend me.

J. E. Gardner.

Gardner then retired and in a short time a committee of two waited on him and presented him the following, in writing, as the action of the meeting: -

SATURDAY, December 22, 1860.

The committee, on due deliberation, passed the following resolution unanimously: That Mr. Gardner be notified, for the welfare of this community, to leave our county three days from and after Monday next, which time will expire on Wednesday next at 6 o'clock p. m.

Wm. E. Mead,

Secretary.

To Mr. J. E. GARDNER, Utica, Livingston county, Mo.

There was great excitement throughout the town. Many of the citizens wholly disapproved the action of the lawless element. The same night a meeting of the conservative men of the town was held. The proceedings of the would-be regulators were denounced, and even Mr. Austin, the Representative elect, was censured for having countenanced and advised them. An organization of "law and order" was effected. A constitution was drawn up, signed by many, declaring a determination to "discountenance and put down raw violence, and to persist in the maintenance of the laws of the State, as the only hope for the protection of civil citizens." This organization took Mr. Gardner's case in hand, and a compromise was at last effected, whereby he was given ten days in which to leave.

Meantime the minister's wife, Mrs. Amanda Gardner, was furnishing the organ of the M. E. Church, the Central Christian Advocate, with communications descriptive of the situation at Utica. Her letters were published and copied into other journals, and, of course, commented on throughout the North. Copies of Mrs. Gardner's printed letters are before the writer, having been preserved by certain citizens of the county. Of the mobbing of Mr. Gardner, after the compromise referred to, and of the preceding circumstances she gives the following account: -

The settlement had been made on condition that we were to leave in ten days; but this compromise was not made known to us, and therefore we were unprepared to meet it. We had just returned from holding watch meeting, where we entered upon the year 1861 with new resolutions to live for God and the interests of the church.

Thursday, January 3d, we were preparing to start on the next day to another protracted meeting, which was to be held seven miles from Utica. Mr. Gardner was butchering, and I was engaged with my housework, when one of our friends hastened to inform us that the mob was then collected and would be on us in five minutes. We could scarcely credit the report; but he had hardly got out of sight when from my window I saw the rabble coming. They were armed with rifles, shot-guns, revolvers and knives. I called to Mr. Gardner; he hastened into the house, bolted the floor and chose a position where he could defend himself and family.

They surrounded the house, some rushing to the doors and others to the windows. Jack Stone(constable) rapped at the door. I asked, "Who is there?" He answered, "A friend," and said that he wished to speak with Mr. Gardner. I told him they could not see him until they came in a different manner, and asked, as a favor, that they would withdraw and not disturb our peace. At this they shouted like demons. Some cried, "Burst the door!" Others, "Break in the windows!" One Cooper gave ten minutes by his watch for Mr. Gardner to promise to leave the country within 24 hours, or have the house burned down over our heads, and ordered a bunch of hay brought to kindle the fire.

They declared they had given us ten days to leave the county, and the time was up, and now they were determined that Mr. Gardner should give them a pledge to that effect, or they would hang him. I endeavored to reason with them from my window, and told them that according to their own arrangement they were one day before their time, which would not expire until Friday, January 4, at 6 o'clock p. m., and that we intended going to the country at that time, as Mr. Gardner had an appointment and the friends would be in for us; but I only received curses in reply. They appeared, however, to be somewhat confused, some declaring that they were before their time, while others thought not. At length they agreed to leave, and gave us until noon the next day for our exit, declaring that if we were not gone at that time they would accept no compromise.

When they had gone Mr. Gardner proceeded to finish his work, and we thought we would get out of the place as soon as possible, as it was anything but desirable to live in such a state of things.

In the afternoon Mr. Gardner had business in town which he could not well put off. On stepping into a store he was asked in reference to the truth of the matter, when a conversation arose respecting the unlawfulness of such a course. There was present a Mr. Austin, who slipped out, unnoticed by Mr. Gardner, and informed the rabble where he was. Ere he was aware, he was surrounded by the mob, insulted and abused, and preparations immediately made to take him.

Mr. Gardner, seeing no chance to defend himself, endeavored to get home by going out of the store through the back way, but no sooner was he out than he was surrounded on all sides by the mob, who came upon him with drawn revolvers. He was violently seized, a "Lincoln rail" was ordered, upon which they forced him and proceeded to rail-ride him. Tumultuous shouts of "North Preacher," "Lincolnite," "Nigger thief," etc., were raised. While some were clamorous for "tar and feathers" others shouted for a rope!

Thus was a minister of the gospel insulted and abused in a land of Bibles and Christian institutions! Mr. Gardner let no opportunity slip, but as they carried him through the streets he exhorted the rabble and those who thronged about him to flee the wrath to come. Above the clamor of the mob was heard his voice as he held up the cross of Christ and His sufferings for a world of sinners, and that His servants should not be ashamed to suffer reproach for His name's sake. After he had finished his exhortation he sang:

"Children of the Heavenly King,

As we journey, let us sing," etc.

[A strange spectacle, truly. A minister of the gospel being ridden on a rail and exclaiming, "As we journey, let us sing! "]

Some tried to mock. One by the name of Schaffer swore he would "make him shut his mouth," at the same time striking him on the shoulder-blade with large ball of ice, crippling him for the time being. They shortly called a halt and let Mr. Gardner down to consider what further measures to take.

By this time I had got our little Allie (who was taken sick that morning) in the care of a lady friend, and made my way through the snow, which was eight inches deep, to where they had him in custody. * * * I walked into their midst and demanded the deliverance of my husband, informing them that I would die with him or have him released. Through the interposition of Mr. John Harper and Mr. Wm. Wells, Mr. Gardner was permitted to go home, accompanied by them, who advised us to leave as soon as possible, as we would not be safe. We assured them we would go if possible - not because it was just, but as the only hope of saving our lives. They told us that unless they could take a pledge to that effect to the mob we would not be safe until morning; we gave it and were then left to ourselves.

Friday, January 4, we were taken to the country by Brother P. Rudolph, where we were kindly treated. We have been received into the house with Brother and Sister Dalton, and have once more got through with the labors of another move. While I write for the Central, under the excitement of the occasion, I have also a sick child on my hands. * * * Mr. Gardner commenced suit in Chillicothe against the leaders of the mob, but a mob was raised there and compelled 'Squire Hughes, before whom the case was to be tried, to burn the papers. So, it is evident that there is no law, either in Utica or Chillicothe, to protect persons belonging to the M. E. Church.

AMANDA GARDNER.

UTICA, Mo., January 15, 1861.